27-CR-20-12646

Filed in District Court

State of Minnesota
3/1/2021 11:01 AM

STATE OF MINNESOTA DISTRICT COURT

COUNTY OF HENNEPIN FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

State of Minnesota,

Plaintiff,
TRIAL MANAGEMENT
ORDER
vs.

Derek Michael Chauvin, Dist Ct. File 27-CR-20-12646

Defendants.

ORDER

In addition to procedures outlined by the Court in its previous orders, the following

procedures will be followed in the jury trial scheduled in the above-captioned matter:

1. Motions in limine will be heard on March 8, 2021 at 8 a.m., and subsequent days from 8

a.m. to 9 a.m. Jury selection will begin at 9 a.m. each day.

2. The trial will be held in Courtroom C-1856. Access to Floor 18 of the Hennepin County

Government Center Courts Tower shall be controlled by the Hennepin County Sheriff’s

Office (HCSO). No one shall be permitted on the 18th floor unless approved by the

HCSO or the Chief Judge, and then only with approved credentials or identification as

required by the HCSO.

3. Spectators

a. Two media representative selected by the Media Coalition will be allowed in the

courtroom. Different persons may rotate through the positions, but only with the

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 27-CR-20-12646
Filed in District Court
State of Minnesota
3/1/2021 11:01 AM

appropriate credentials to be admitted to the 18th floor. The media representatives

may only use electronic devices to take notes on the 18th floor. Other credentialed

media will be provided workspace by the Court, but not on the 18th floor. Media

may use electronic devices and post on social media while in the media

workspace that is not on the 18th floor.

b. One Court TV technician or producer will be allowed in the courtroom to

facilitate communication with the presiding judge and other Court TV personnel

involved in the production of the television broadcast. The person present in the

courtroom may use a laptop computer to facilitate communication with the Court

or other Court TV personnel, but not to capture or transmit images or substantive

information from the court proceedings. Other Court TV personnel involved in

the broadcast of the trial will be allowed in a specified area of the 18th floor near

the courtroom to perform production and technical duties.

c. One member of the George Floyd family may be present in the courtroom during

the trial. Different family members may rotate through that position, but only

with the appropriate credentials to be admitted to the 18th floor. Family members

may not use electronic devices anywhere on the 18th floor.

d. One member of the Derek Chauvin family may be present in the courtroom

during the trial. Different family members may rotate through that position, but

only with the appropriate credentials to be admitted to the 18th floor. Family

members may not use electronic devices anywhere on the 18th floor.

e. Spectators will sit in places assigned by the presiding judge or the HCSO.

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 27-CR-20-12646
Filed in District Court
State of Minnesota
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f. Spectators shall wear masks, keep six feet from other persons, and comply with

all other COVID-19 prevention measures that are in place.

g. No spectator shall wear any mask or article of clothing that contains any image,

logo, letters, or numbers that are visible.

h. Spectators shall not communicate verbally or non-verbally with the Court or with

jurors or potential jurors. Spectators should avoid all contact with potential jurors

or jurors.

i. Spectators may have water in a transparent bottle in the courtroom.

4. Jurors and Potential Jurors

a. Jurors and potential jurors shall be escorted to and from the 18th floor by HCSO

deputies or Hennepin County Security. Jurors and potential jurors shall follow

instructions of the Court and the HCSO regarding movement while in the

Government Center.

b. No one shall have contact or attempt to communicate with jurors except the

presiding judge, court personnel, and HCSO deputies. Attorney contact with the

jurors is limited to examination during the jury selection process.

c. Potential jurors and jurors shall not be referred to by name at any time. They

shall be referred to only by the random number previously assigned by the Court.

d. Jurors and potential jurors shall wear masks, keep six feet from other persons, and

comply with all other COVID-19 prevention measures that are in place.

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 27-CR-20-12646
Filed in District Court
State of Minnesota
3/1/2021 11:01 AM

5. Witnesses

a. Witnesses are sequestered. Parties shall instruct their witnesses not to watch any

part of the proceedings prior to their testimony and not to discuss their testimony

or the testimony of other witnesses until after the witnesses have testified.

b. Upon being called to the witness stand, the witness shall be directed to stand

behind the witness chair in the witness where the oath will be administered by the

presiding judge.

c. During testimony, witnesses may use the witness display illustrator system if it

will clarify their testimony. The witness does not need to ask for permission to

use the illustrator function.

d. At the end of each day of testimony, the attorney for the party presenting its case

shall only provide a list of all witnesses that will be called the following day to the

opposing party, the Court and the HCSO.

e. Witnesses shall wear masks, keep six feet from other persons, and comply with all

other COVID-19 prevention measures that are in place. Witnesses may remove

their masks to testify and will do so if directed by the Court.

6. Attorneys and Parties

a. The State may have four lawyers or support staff who are assisting in the trial

present in the courtroom at any time. Different personnel may rotate through

those positions.

b. Defendant shall be present at all times during the trial. Attorney Eric Nelson and

up to two staff from his law firm who are assisting in the trial may be present at

any time.

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State of Minnesota
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c. Everyone at counsel tables shall remain seated unless granted permission by the

Court or directed by the Court. Communication among trial team members

should occur electronically. Attorneys and support staff may use electronic

devices in the courtroom.

d. Parties, attorneys and support staff shall wear masks, keep six feet from other

persons, and comply with all other COVID-19 prevention measures that are in

place. Attorneys may remove their masks to examine witnesses and to give

opening statements and closing arguments.

e. Attorneys will conduct all arguments and witness examination from the lectern.

f. Objections shall be made without argument unless invited by the Court.

g. Sidebar conferences in the presence of jurors shall be conducted using the

wireless headset devices provided by the Court. All such conferences shall be off

the record, but the Court or the parties may make a record later outside the

presence of the jury. Defendant will be provided with a headset to listen to the

sidebar conferences.

7. All other rules of decorum found in Minn. Gen. R. Prac. 2 shall be followed unless

specifically modified by this order or other orders of the presiding judge. The HCSO and

court staff are authorized to enforce the rules of decorum.

BY THE COURT
Digitally signed by Cahill, Peter
Date: 2021.03.01 10:41:51
-06'00'
______________________________
Peter A. Cahill
Judge of District Court